Haiti is a Caribbean country that occupies the western part of the island of Hispaniola, along with the Dominican Republic. It also includes several smaller islands, such as Gonâve, Tortue, Grande Caye, and Vache. Haiti has a population of about 11.4 million people, most of whom are of African descent. The capital and largest city is Port-au-Prince. Haiti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by its indigenous, African, French, and Spanish heritage. Haiti is the first country in the Americas to gain independence from European colonialism, after a successful slave revolt led by Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines in the early 19th century. The name Haiti comes from the native Taíno language and means "land of high mountains". Haiti is known for its natural beauty, artistic expression, and historical significance, but also faces many challenges such as poverty, political instability, environmental degradation, and natural disasters.